In a major crackdown dubbed “Broken Sky”, the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo (PSRK) has requested pre-trial detention for 22 suspects arrested this Tuesday, believed to be part of a powerful transnational drug trafficking ring operating across Kosovo, South America, Iran, and Turkey.
The indictment reveals how cocaine, heroin, and marijuana were trafficked into Kosovo using sophisticated concealment methods, and later sold across Europe—including Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, and even within Kosovo itself.
Key Accused and International Coordination
Among the 22 accused are:
Rexhep Nikqi, Arianit Krasniqi, Abedin Gjakova, Ragip Bislimi, Armend Ismajli, Rifat Vuçetaj, Erduan Ismaili, and others. The arrests came after a long investigation supported by EUROPOL and intelligence obtained from Sky ECC encrypted messages, decrypted through cooperation with France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Sophisticated Drug Trafficking Methods
According to the Prosecution, from 2019 to June 2025, the group arranged international drug shipments by:
- Hiding narcotics in shipping containers from South America, Iran, and Turkey.
- Using bunker-modified vehicles and cargo trucks to mask drugs.
- Blending cocaine with baking soda and other substances to increase weight.
- Transporting through Albania and North Macedonia to Kosovo.
“The narcotics were camouflaged and moved via land and sea routes, ultimately reaching buyers across the EU,” the PSRK states.
Millions in Illicit Profit and Money Laundering Scheme
The group is accused of laundering millions of euros by reinvesting profits into:
- Front businesses
- Movable and immovable assets including land, homes, apartments, and vehicles.
This constitutes money laundering, per Article 302 of the Penal Code, in connection with Article 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering Law.
Escape Risk and Fake Identities
The PSRK emphasizes the flight risk of the accused. Notably, Abedin Gjakova, Roland Beqiri, and Ragip Bislimi are accused of changing their identities. Kosovo’s lack of legal cooperation with countries like Serbia could make extradition difficult if suspects flee.
“Given the ease of movement and lack of extradition treaties with some states, detention is necessary to prevent escape and destruction of evidence,” the PSRK added.
Sky ECC and International Case ‘Limit’
The case gained momentum after receiving transcripts from Sky ECC, an encrypted messaging platform dismantled in 2021 by French, Belgian, and Dutch police during Operation Limit. The decrypted data uncovered links to Kosovo-based users, prompting EUROPOL to relay intelligence to Kosovo’s Special Prosecution.
Initial investigations targeted Kujtim Neziraj, Ardian Mazrekaj, and Edin Berisha, later expanding as more data was analyzed.
Charges Filed
The accused face multiple charges:
- Organized crime participation (Article 277/1)
- Unauthorized purchase, possession, and sale of narcotics (Article 267/2)
- Money laundering (Article 302)
The PSRK stresses that nearly all suspects—except Kahraman Aksoy and Ylli Musliu—have prior criminal records.
